Chicagi River Dyed Green......

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Chesswoman

Mar 17, 2013

Millions of Americans across the country celebrate St. Patrick's Day - although some inevitably overdo it on the Guinness

Celebrations were underway across the U.S. today for a 2-day extravaganza marking St. Patrick's Day tomorrow
Thousands lined the Chicago River, dyed green for the festivities, as people cheered on New York's five hour parade
Bar crawls are planned in cities across the country tonight and tomorrow
But some are suffering from overindulgence already with pictures of drunk New York revelers stumbling home in the middle of the afternoon

PUBLISHED: 18:31 GMT, 16 March 2013 | UPDATED: 02:21 GMT, 17 March 2013

Americans were out in force celebrating St. Patrick's Day across the country today but judging by the pictures some had already enjoyed the Guinness a little too much.

Events are being held across the U.S. and the globe today and tomorrow to mark the March 17 festival.

Chicago held it's annual parade this morning and dyed the Chicago River green while New York held its famous parade greeted by thousands.

Overdoing it: This reveler was attended to by paramedics after enjoying the New York St Patrick's Day celebrations

Green, white and orange: Parade-goers watch as matching bands make their way up 5th Avenue during the 252th New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade

Feeling a little green: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. left, poses for a photo with "Shamrock" the green dyed Irish Wolfhound at the Chicago St. Patrick's Day parade

Green girl: Little Kate Hujsa, 4, enjoying the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New York

Revelers, children and even pets were decked out in green to mark the occasion with Irish flags hanging from street corners across the country.

At the New York parade which claims be the 'oldest, biggest, and best in the world', partygoers withstood the snow and cold to join in the fun.

The massive parade, which predates the United States beginning in the 1700, was led by 750 members of the New York Army National Guard.

The parade lasted for almost five hours with dancers, bands and battalions all taking part. The 1st Battalion of the 69th Infantry has been marching in the parade since 1851.

Michael Bloomberg took in his last St. Patrick's Day as mayor, waving to a cheering crowd.

Marching just behind him was Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who presented Bloomberg with a historic Irish teapot earlier in the day.

'The Irish are found in every borough, every corner of New York,' Kenny said. 'In previous generations they came heartbroken and hungry, in search of new life, new hope; today they come in search of opportunity to work in finance, fashion, film.'

Luck of the Irish: NYPD Officer Vierling proposed to his girlfriend earlier today on the New York parade and she said yes

Romantic: NYPD Officer Vierling proposed to his girlfriend during the parade

Green and still sober for now: Parade goers watching in New York City. It seems that anyone with a remotely Irish connection (or who likes to drink) want to take part

Going green: Thousands turned out to watch the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. The longest running in the country

Lucky charm: United States Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Tanner Marshall is grabbed and kissed by a woman during Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade

A river runs through it: The Chicago River is dyed green right before the start of the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago

An NYPD officer, Jon Vierling, used the opportunity to ask his girlfriend Kelly Collins to marry him during the celebrations and she said yes.

He was marching with fellow officers when he used the opportunity to break off for the proposal.

'I thought he was working today which is why he couldn't come,' Collins said.

'We're crazy, the Irish, we're funny and we talk to everyone,' said 23-year-old Lauren Dawson, of Paramus, N.J., who came to her first St. Patrick's Day parade.

Some had, however, enjoyed the craziness too much and pictures began emerging of handfuls of people a little worse for wear in the city this afternoon.

In the south of the country, thousands of revelers garbed in green crammed the oak-shaded squares and sidewalks of downtown Savannah, Georgia, for a celebration that's a 189-year-old tradition.

Led by bagpipers in green kilts, a parade kicked off Saturday morning, hours after customers began lining up at downtown bars.

Party time: Crowds watched the parade and hit the bars in Chicago, left, while green beer was served in Georgia

Irish Jig: Members of the Emerald Isle Step Dancers, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, make their way up New York's Fifth Avenue as they take part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade

Banging on about it: A drummer plays during the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York during a chilly but dry day

Irish luck: Firefighter Steve Ortiz of the Los Angeles City Fire Department is kissed while marching in St.Patrick's Day parade in Savannah along with more than 300 floats and marching bands decorated with shamrocks

More than 1,000 worshipers also packed the pews of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist for the Mass that traditionally precedes the parade.

Bev Kehayes, of Greensboro, North Carolina, joined friends near the start of the parade route. She made hats with green feathers and flowers just for the occasion.

'It's good, clean fun. Heaven forbid there's a little alcohol involved,' said Kehayes, who says she's missed only three of the celebrations in Savannah in 29 years.

Boston was also getting into the mood ahead of its parade tomorrow.

Dressed as Pippie Longstocking, Tiffany Martinez, of Tampa, Florida walks along historic River Street during the 189-year-old St. Patrick's Day celebration on River Street

Carrying the banner: New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (center) and Police Commissioner, Raymond Kelly (left) March in the St. Patrick's Day parade

Irish humor: Caroline Kelleher watches the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York with her own message to partygoers

Irish-American: This man dressed up in his St Patrick's Day finest high-fived revelers watching the parade

downtown Savannah. The St. Patrick's Day celebration is a 189-year-old tradition in Georgia's oldest city

The 112th St. Patrick's Day parade is expected to b